This Rare ’90s Home Feature Doubles as a Security Accessory

Unfortunately, charming vintage features, like Dutch doors or in-wall folding bathroom seats, have all but disappeared from most homes on the market. However, I recently stumbled upon a rare ’90s feature on Instagram that doubles as security and decor — and the gorgeous brass piece is such an easy (and inexpensive) way to add retro character to any dwelling. Enter: the door club.

As seen in a video by Chloe Michalska (@OurSevernHome), the door club features an anchor that you install into the floor inside the door, a metal slab that protects the door’s frame, and then a metal “club” instrument that goes into the anchor and prevents someone from opening the door from outside. There’s also a hanging dock on the door that you can place the door club on when it’s not in use.

Determined to know more about it this “niche” four-piece brass door accessory, I spoke to Steph Mahon, real estate expert and owner of Dwell New Jersey, who shared some insight into the now-forgotten security feature, which was created in the early 1990s by security company Winner International (which is now known for their car steering wheel locks).

According to Mahon, the Door Club was a practical additional security measure in addition to a lock and deadbolt. Not only did it add a sweet vintage aesthetic to a home’s entryway, but it was also advertised as being able to withstand over two tons of force. However, Mahon says that door stops and security bars began to fade from everyday use as digital security surged following 9/11. 

“The advanced systems once reserved for commercial buildings and corporate offices gradually made their way into residential spaces, eventually evolving into the wireless, app-based home security technology we rely on today,” she shares. 

People continue to rely on more modern security systems like home security cameras and electronic deadbolts, but Mahon says that ’90s nostalgia from millennials is driving a return to vintage home decor, from “the colorful holiday decorations they grew up with” to this old-fashioned yet useful security system. “That same retro pull is everywhere on social media, making the revival of the Door Club feel perfectly timed,” she says. “It’s a quirky, distinctive home detail with a vintage vibe that fits seamlessly into this moment.”

Michalska’s video’s comment section was filled with viewers asking where to buy the Door Club. While the creator said they had it shipped to the U.K. from the United States, I found the Winner International Brass Door Club on sale on The Home Depot’s website for $28.34 with free shipping or in-store pickup. It’s also possible you might find it in a thrift or antique shop.

Installation is a bit of a process (you’ll need to drill into your floor as well as your door to set it up), but the Door Club has five-star reviews from happy shoppers who raved about how quick and easy it was to set up, as well as how well it works. “Easy installation, well made, and looks and feels very durable. Have one on every door in the house. Just another line of defense and security in our home. Would recommend to anyone looking for an extra layer of protection,” one person wrote. 

Several customers said that they were so pleased with the Door Club’s effectiveness that they’d purchased numerous ones for each entryway as well as each home they’d moved to over the years. One person also revealed that the Door Club had prevented a home intruder from breaking in after they’d broken through their door’s lock and deadbolt. “Someone attempted to gain entry to my door that had the club on it. They drilled the lock, removed the deadbolt and tried to kick it in and they could not get in,” they said. 

While Mahon said there’s no resale advantage to adding this type of security feature to your home, it can give you extra peace of mind as an additional layer of protection. Plus, the gorgeous feature is a “quirky conversation starter” for any guests coming through your front door.